By MICHELLE HERBISON
PROPOSALS to redevelop Portarlington’s harbour and extend Geelong’s ring road to the Bellarine Peninsula have earned places on a new list of council priority projects.
Council revealed the list of funding priorities for 2013 to 2017 this week as part of its annual budget process.
Council said it was developing options to fund Parks Victoria’s master plan for the Portarlington safe harbour project, including working with State Government and the private sector.
State Government in 2009 estimated the project would cost $58 million.
The budget document said a ring road extension to the peninsula, including a planning study worth between $3 million and $5 million, required funding commitments from federal and state governments.
The road extension would reduce residential and east-west traffic congestion in central Geelong and boost tourism opportunities.
The safe harbour would position Portarlington as “the home of sustainable aquaculture” and a “premier recreation and commercial boating hub”, the document said.
“Portarlington Safe Harbour will provide a much-needed enhancement of the existing marine infrastructure at Portarlington. Portarlington Pier is currently in poor condition with unsustainable short-term measures in place to strengthen and protect the structure.”
Mussel farmer Lance Whiffen said the funding priorities were “fantastic news” for the region but the safe harbour would rely on private investment.
The local shellfish industry could only grow and create more jobs with a safe harbour, he said.
“At the moment I haven’t got any capacity to expand my fleet because there’s nowhere to put a boat. Our pier’s breaking down and getting older all the time.
“Unless money’s spent it will become unusable.”
Portarlington Business Development Association president John Rae was “absolutely thrilled” councillor Lindsay Ellis had pushed for prioritisation of the safe harbour.
“This is a very important step towards moving this whole project along. The next step is to gain funding from State Government which would probably be around the next election time.”
Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville has previously criticised the government for “sitting on its hands” on the safe harbour plans.
Mr Rae, who called the budget “responsible”, also approved of the ring road extension project.
